Acetylene-gas plant.



0. K. STUART. ACETYLENE GAS PLANT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 30 1911.

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET. I.

11v VENITOR: @MDJZQM WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY.

COLUMBIA PLANOURAPH conwasmvn'mx. r r.

0. K. STUART.

ACET'VYLENE GAS PLANT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 30, 1911.

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

mama.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.,

ATTORNEY.

WITNESSES.-

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0.,wAsH|NuTON. D. c

0. K. STUART.- ACETYLENE GAS PLANT.

APPLICATION HLED SEPT. 30. 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Patented Nov. 16,

mmszvrom ATTORNEY.

COLUMBIA ILANOGRAPH c0..wASH|Na'roN. D. c.

0. K. STUART.

ACETYLENE GAS PLANT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 30, 1911.

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

INVENTOR:

4 SHEETSSHEET 4- I WITNESSES.-

A TTORNEY.

cowmnm PLANOORAPH cu. WASHINGTON, D. c.

pin snare N y j M ORION K. STUART, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

ACETYLENE-GAS PLANT.

Specification of Letters Patent;

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

Application filed September 30, 1911. Serial No. 652,160.

' plants adapted more especially to generate and supply gas to a relatively smallnumber of consumers, as to one or several adjacent dwellings, stores or work shops, the invention having reference more particularly to means for controlling the generation and storage of acetylene gas in suflicient quantity to supply the requirements of theconsinners.

The object of the invention is to provide a complete low pressure acetylene gas plant adapted to be cheaply constructed and to be operated and controlled reliably, and with the minimum degree of danger to the attendant or surrounding buildings; a further obje'ct being to improve the apparatus forming the subject of the U. S. Letters Patent No. 749,757, granted January 19, 1904, and provide mechanism for controlling operations of such apparatus automatically so as to maintain a constant supply of gas, a still further object being to combine a plurality of gas generators advantageously with a single gasometer from which to supply the consumers.

Minor objects of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description thereof.

The invention consists in a novelarrangement of acetylene gas generators and a gasometer, and in novel controlling apparatus connected therewith, and also consisting in certain novel parts, and combinations and arrangements of parts, as hereinafter particularly described and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of an acetylene gas plant constructed substantially in accordance with the invention, portions thereof being broken away to expose internal parts; Figs. 2, 3 and 1, separate detailed views of parts of the apparatus; Fig. 5, a top plan of the apparatus; 6, a perspective View of the improved combined weight and guide; Fig. 7, a fragmentary perspective view of one of the filters preferably employed; Fig. 8,

a horizontal section of the gasometer on the line A A in Fig. 1; Fig. 9, a vertical central section of one of the generators as on the plane of the line B B in Fig. 5; Fig. 10, a sectional elevation of parts of the generator showing the manner of removing the carbid holder from the gas-holder of the generator or connecting one to the other; Fig. 11, a horizontal section on the line C C in Fig. 9; Fig. 12, a fragmentary section on the line D D in Fig. 9; Fig. 13, a fragmentary elevation of parts shown in the preceding figure; Fig. 14, a fragmentary vertical section approximately on the plane of the line it E in Fig. 5; Fig. 15, a fragmentary sectional elevation on the line F F in Fig. 5;

Fig. 16, a fragmentary section on the line G G in Fig. 5; Fig. 17, a section on the line H H in Fig. 16; and Fig. 18, a fragmentary section also on the line G G in Fig. 5.

Similar reference characters throughout the various figures of the drawings indicate corresponding elements or features of con struction herein referred to and described.

In a practical embodiment of the invention, preferably two generators are provided and each generator preferably is mounted upon a stand 1 or 1 of suitable height. The generators comprise essentially two tanks or water-holding vessels 2 and 2 and two gas bells or holders 3 and 3, respectively, each vessel including a bottom 4, the top of the vessel being open. and the gas-holder including a top 5. The gas-holder isinserted into the vessel and is removable therefrom, and it has an'open lower end adapted to be water-sealed in the vessel. as'will be understood. A stand 6 preferably is arranged between the stands 1 and 1 and it supports a tank 7 in which a gasometer bell 8 is guided movably, the latter including a top 8 which is opposedto the bottom 7 of the tank, and as will be understood it is designed that the bell, the lower end of which is open, be

.watersealed in the tank asis customary. I

Each gas-holder has a suitable carbid holder connected removably to the inner side thereof, and each carbid holder comprises a side wall 9 and also a bottom 10 having perforations l1 therein,'the bottom having a central aperture in which is secured a tube 12 provided witha projecting flaring lower end 13. Each carbid holder is provided with a suitable number of lugs for supporting it, each lug preferably comprising two horizontal plates 14 and 1 1 provided with ears 15 and 15 which are secured to the wall 9, the plates having guide-plates 16 and 16 thereon; which are connected to a-tie plate 17. The inner side of the gas-holder.

is provided with a corresponding number of socket-likebrackets somewhatsimilar to the lugs i'n contour, each comprising two horizontal plates 18 and ls provided With ears 1%) and 19 which are secured to the Wallof the gas-holder, there being two guide-plates 20! and 20 extending downward from the therein, a tube 26" being connected to the 'bottemat a suitable aperture therein, the

tube'being slightly greater in diameter than thetube l2 and normally extending around it. .Tliebasfket is provided with a bail 27 and also'a suitablenumber of annular plates 28' having-. perforations 29the rein to be placed between layers of carbid the basket, for the purpose of preventing the whole. bulk of ca rbi'd from becoming packed to o densely for proper generation of the gas. Two platforms are provided and arranged adjacently to the generators, and each comprises an annular, table 30 or 30 having each a suitable opening 31 therein to receive the flaring, end of thetube .12, the tables being provided with, supporting legs 32 of suitable lengthto supportoneof the carbid holders and'pe rmit the gas-holder to. de-

sesame as to disconnect the brackets from the lags, sothat the gas-holder maybe roslightlly 'an cl then lifted away from the carbid-holde'r to! permit the latter to be re charged with carbid.

1 Ea'chwate'r-holdirig vessel 2 and 2' is provided with vcentral outlet pipe 33 which is 'seeuredfto and extends through the bottom hit, the vessel and upward approximately to lthe upper 'end thereof, an elbow 33 preferably beinggo if ected to the lower end of the pipe below the bottom of the vessel. Each vessel isflnrovided with Qdrain-pipe 3,4 pro: .vided with i a. sto -makes; The top, 5 of each'gas-holder has aqonar 36 secured thereon which is provided with. an outwardly ext'endingffla'nge 37 in which are a suitable nu b of-,. 1O s-3 ar "t p as were anus vent-seek 39 is connected to the api:

of the top for permitting air to escape after recharging the generator with carbid. A bail 10 is connected to the collar 36 whereby to lift and carry the gas holder and the carbidtherein, it being understood that any that extend upward in contact with the sheaves 44 and thence around the sheaves e3, each cable having a hook 417 on its upper end which is inserted removably in one of the holes 38. In some cases supplemental weights48 are placed on the cables. Each gas holder 3 and 3 is provided on the exterior thereof with an indicator plate 49 having divisional marks 50 thereon, preferably one inch apart and numerals 51 indicating inches from the upper end of the plate downward. Each combined weight and guide consists preferably of a ring of metal having considerably greater height than width in cross-section and provided with guide projections or adjustable guide screws 52 and adapted to be adjusted, so as to be nearly in contact with the opposing walls of the vessel 2 and gas-holder 8, there being ample space allowed for free circulation of the water past the ring. While the lower portion of the gas-holder is guided by the annular weight and guide, the upper end is guided bv means of the cables which are of equal length. The tube 12 is suflicicntly large to pass freely over the outlet pipe 33.

The tank 7 has a suitable number of upright guide-bars 541-, 5 1, on the wall thereof and they extend upward to a suitable height beyond the top of the tank and are connected to a stay-ring 55, the exterior of the gasometer 8 being provided with a suitable number of grooved guide-rollers 56 and 56' thatjarein contact with the guide-bars. The top 8 is provided with a vent-cock 57. Two inlehpipes 58 and 58' and also an outlet pipe extend through and are secured to the bottom ,of the tank and extend upward nearly to the plane of the top of the tank, each pipe. preferably having a hooded filter 60 extending over its upper end to filter the gas and prevent possible condensation on the jeeps from dropping into the pipes. The

lower end of each pipe is providedwith a dra n-cock 61 for. draining condensation from the pipesor making tests as to the presdrain-pipe 62 provided with a stop-cock 63. The exterior of the bell 8 has an indicator plate 19 thereon, as above described, so that the volume of gas therein may be ascertained at any time.

Two gas-pipes 64: and 6 1 are connected to the elbow 33 of the outlet pipes 33 of the two generators and have stop-cocks 65 and 65 connected thereto, respectively, to which are connected pipe sections 66 and 66 having pipe-tees 67 and 67 connected thereto, to the lower portions of which drain-cocks 68 and 68 are connected, the tees being suitably connected with pipe unions 69 and 69 with which suitable gas purifiers 70 and 70 are connected in vertical arrangement, the upper ends of the purifiers being suitably connected with unions 71 and 71 with which valvebodies 72 and 72 are connected, respectively, the valve-bodies being further described hereinafter. Pipesections 73 and 73 are connected to the valve-bodies and have horizontal sections 74 and 741 connected therewith, suitable vertical pipe sections 75 and 75 extending downward from the horizontal sections and having stop-valves 76 and 76 connected thereto, respectively, pipe sections 77 and 77 being connected with the valves and having horizontal sections 78 and 78 connected therewith, the latter sections being connected with the pipes 58 and 58, respectively. A pipe 79 is connected with the outlet-pipe 59 and is provided with a regulating valve 80 with which is connected a service pipe 7 9.

Each valve-body 72 and 72, is substantially cylindrical and has two valve-seats 81 and 81 extending inwardly a short distance from different portions of the wall thereof in parallel planes, and a shaft 82 is mounted rotatably in the wall of the body between the two planes and has a. butterfly type intercepting valve 83 secured thereto which is adapted to rest against the seats 81 and 81 for closing the passage through the valvebody or to be moved rotatively from the valve-seats as indicated bybroken lines in Fig. 18 to open the passage. Each shaft 82 has a clamp-head 8 lthereon and secured adjustably by means of a set screw 85 which secures also a spring-clamp 86 which adjust ably secures an operating lever or arm to the shaft, there being two levers or arms 87 and 87 connected to the shafts of the two valves respectively, each lever being connected between its ends to the shaft, and preferably the upper side of each lever has a suitable number of notches 88 therein for retaining a weight 89 in position when hung on the lever near one end portion thereof, theopposite end portion of each lever having an aperture 90 therein. Two push rods 91 and 91 are each connected suitably to the gasometer bell 8, preferably by means of a connecting arm 91, the push-rods being vertical and extending downward near the outer side of the tank 7 and through the apertured ends of the levers 87 and 87, respectively, each push rod having a button 92 secured adjustably thereto by means of a set screw 93 so as to be moved into contact with the top of the lever to operate it. Two cords or chains 9-1 and 9 1 are connected to the levers 87 and 87 at the opposite ends thereof from the apertured ends, and the cords or chains are suitably connected to the gas-holders 3 and 3, respectively, preferably by means of arms 95 and 95. Each lever 87 and 87 has a projection 96 thereon near the portion to which the cord or chain is connected, and is provided also with a roller 97 and a yoke 98 to which a spring finger 99 is secured and adapted to spring over toward the projection 96, for a purpose which will further appear. It will be understood that a roller 97 is preferable in order to lessen friction, but if desired may be incapable of rotation.

A suitable foundation 100 is provided that has a suitable number of bolt-holes 101 therein, and a pivot-stand 102 is secured suitably on the top of the foundation by means of bolts 101, and it has a pivot 103 thereon on which is mounted a relatively long controlling lever 10% provided with a suitable number of pivot holes 105 nearer to one end than the opposite end thereof, so

that the lever is pivoted at either one of the pivot holes desired and the stand may be adjusted on its foundation accordingly without shifting the lever from the position in which it is required to operate.

It will be understood that the tendency of the longer end of the lever is to descend by gravitation and hold up the shorter end thereof. Two trip rods 106 and 106 are pivotally connected to opposite ends of the lever 10% and have arms 107 and 107 secured thereto respectively by set-screws 108, so as to be adjustable, and push-bars 109 and 109 are connected to the arms, respectively, and extend upwardly, each through the yoke 98 in contact with the roller 97 and springfinger 99, each push-bar having a ratchettooth 110 thereon adaptedto move downward or upward over the roller, and when moved upward, to engage the projection 96 when the lever 87 or 87 is at an inclined angle, and tobe pushed away from the projection by means of the roller when the lever rises toward a horizontal position to open the valve 83. Each trip-rod has an eye 111 in its upper end and a clamping collar 112 that is adjustable on the upper portion of the rod. The trip-rods comprise also eXtension stems 113 and 1 3 which are adjustably connected to the main parts 106 and 106 by means of the clamps 112, and they extend through the flanges 41 of the vessels 2 and 2, respectively, the upper ends of the stems having each a crook 11 1 thereon from 3 and 3 when they descend thereto.

In practical use, the carbid holders are placed upon the platforms provided therefor and the baskets having been supplied with lump carbid are placed in the holders, and then the gas holders are lowered over the platforms so as to inclose the carbid holders, somewhat as shown in Fig. 10, and then the gas holders are rotated until the socketed brackets may receive the lugs of the carbid holders, and then the gas holders are elevated and carry the carbid-holders therein to the required position above the water holding vessels into which they are lowered, and then the hooks 47 are properly connectedto the flanges 87. The vent-cocks 39 are opened if necessary to permit the carbid to descend into the water whichjit' will be understood may be placed in the vessels either before or after charging the carbid holders, and it will be understood that the carbid holders are charged more conveniently one at a time. The carbid becoming moistened results'in generation of gas which rises in the gas-holder and forces it upward,

ceases whilethe carbid is elevated above the Water, and the gas holder wlll remain elevated while communication isclosed between it and the gas'ometer, but if sufficient gas is 7 ranged, depending upon whether or not it is overbalanced. Generation ofgas again occurs and the gas holder is again elevated and opens the intercepting valve. But a sufficient volume-of gas may not be gener ated to take the slack out of the cord, so that the interceptingvalves may remainclosed, and then if the supply in the gasometer becomes nearly exhausted the buttons 92 are moved down upon thelevers andmove them or one ofthe levers, depending upon the relative adjustments, so as'to open the intercepting valve and permit the gas to flow from the gas-holder into the gasometer, so that the carbid may again descend to the water and start generation of the gas. When no more gas can be produced from the carbid the gas holder descends until it pushes down the foot 116 or 116' and operates the lever 104 so as to open the intercepting valve of the other charged generator and thus puts it into operation, at the same time permi'tting its own intercepting valve to as closed by the weight of its lever. Thus while one generator is in operation the other one may be conveniently recharged and held in readiness to be automatically put into operation when the working generator has become exhausted.

The results of operation not specifically pointed out will be readily understood by reference to the description of the details of construction and functions of the several parts.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

1. An acetylene gas plant including a gasgenerator, a gasometer comprising a movable bell, a conduit connecting the gasometer and the gas-generator and provided with a balanced intercepting valve having an operating lever that is connected to the valve, the lever being weighted to automatically close the valve, a flexible device connected with the operating lever and actuated by the gas-generator to move the lever and open the valve following the generation of gas, the flexible device permitting the lever to be independently moved, an auxiliary gas-generator, a movably supported connecting appliance adapted to automatically engage and move the operating lever when moved in one direction to open the valve, the appliance being adapted to be automatically actuated by either the gas-generator or the mixiliary gas-generator on exhaustion of the gas generated therein, and a device carried by the gasometer bell into engagement with the operating lever to open the valve on exhaustion of the gas in the bell.

V 2. An acetylene gas plant including a gasgei'ierator with a movable bell, a gasometer, a conduit for the passage of gas connecting the gas-generator and the gasomete'r and provided with an intercepting valve having a weighted operating lever for automatically closing the valve, a trip-rod vertically guided adjacent to the gas-generator and adapted to be engaged and moved downward by the generator bell, a push-bar connected to and carried by the trip-rod and guided adjacent to the operating lever, the trip-rod permitting free movement of the lever, a pivotally supported controlling lever connected to the trip-rod for moving the latter upward, means enabling the push-bar to engage and move the operating lever to open the valve on upward movement of the push-bar and permitting downward movement of the pushbar free of the lever, and a device connected to the operating lever and forming a connection with the generator bell for moving the lever to open the valve.

3. An acetylene gas plant including a gasgenerator comprising a movable holder. a gasometer tank, a bell movable in the tank, a push-rod fix dly secured to the bell, a contact device fixed on the push-rod, a conduit extending from the gas-holder into the bell and provided with an intercepting valve for control of the passage of gas from the gas-generator to the bell, an operating lever connected between its ends with the valve for control of the valve, one end portion of the lever extending approximately to the push-rod to be engaged on its top by the contact device when the bell is moving downward to move the lever for opening the valve, the opposite end portion of the lever being overbalanced and when unrestrained acting as a weight to close the valve, and a flexible cable connected with the holder and one end portion of the lever for enabling the gas-generator holder following the generation of gas to move the lever to open th valve. I

l. An acetylene gas plant including a gasgenerator comprising a water-holding vessel and a gas-holder movable in thevessel, a tank, a gasometer bell movable in the tank and having a push-rod fixedly secured thereto, a contact device fixed on the push-rod, a conduit extending from the interior of the gas-holder to the interior of the bell and provided with an intercepting valve, an operating lever con nected between its ends with the valve, one end of the lever extending approximately to the push-rod to be engaged on its top by the contact device to open the valve, the opposite end of the lever being weighted. to close the valve, and a cable connected with the gas-holder and the weighted end portion of the operating lever.

5. An acetylene gas plant including a gasgenerator comprising a water-holding vessel and a gas holder movable in the vessel, a tank, a gasometer bell movable in the tank and having a push-rod fixedly secured thereto, a button secured adjustably to the push-rod, a conduit extending from the interior of the gas holder to the interior of the bell for the passage of gas and provided with an intercepting valve, the valve having a rotatable operating shaft, a lever secured between its ends to the shaft and having an aperture in one end portion thereof through which the push-rod extends, the end being engaged by the button to move the lever for opening the valve, and a cable connected to the opposite end portion of the'lever and also to the gas holder for independently opening the valve.

6. An acetylene gas plant including two gas-generators, a gasometer, a conduit connected with one of the gas-generators and the gasometer and provided with an intercepting valve, a conduit connected with the other one of the gasgenerators and the gasometer and provided with an intercepting valve, a lever pivotally supported between its ends, trip devices connected with one end of the lever and adapted for opening one of the valves, trip devices connected with the opposite end of the lever and adapted for opening the other one of the valves, means enabling one oi the gasgenerators to move one end of the lever, and means enabling the other one of the gasgenerators to movethe opposite end of the levers.

7. An acetylene gas plant including two water holding vessels, two gas holders movable in' the vessels, one in each, a tank, a gasometer bell movable in. the tank, a pipe extending from the interior of one of the gas holders to the interior of the bell and provided with an intercepting valve having an operating lever, a pipe extending from the interior of the other one of the gas holders to the interior of the bell and provided with an intercepting valve having an operating lever, a trip-rod guided movably on one of the vessels and having an extension adapted to moved by the gas holder in the vessel, a trip-rod "guided movably on the. other one of the vessels, and havin an extension ada Jted to be moved bf tion of a water-holding vessel, a gas holder movable in the vessel, a tank, a gasometer bell movable 1n the tank, an annular carbid holder supported on the mterior of the gas holder, apipe extending from the interior of the gas holder through the carbid holder and the bottom of the vessel, an intercepting valve connected with the pipe, an operating lever connected between its ends with the valve, a pipe extending from the valve to the interior of the bell, a cable connected to the gas holder and also to the operating lever to move the latter in one direction for opening the valve, a device connected to the bell and adapted to move the lever in said one direction, and a weight adjustably mounted on the lever to move it in the opposite direction for closing the valve.

9. In an acetylene gas plant, the combination of a water-holding vessel, a gas holder movable in the vessel, a tank, a gasometer bell movable in the tank, a car-bid holder mounted in the gas holder, a pipe extending from the interior of the gas holder through the bottom of the vessel, a valve body haw ing a passage connected with the pipe, a shaft mounted rotatably in the body, a valve on the shaft for closing the passage, a pipe connected with the valve body and extending into the bell, an operating lever secured adjustably between its ends to the shaft and having an aperture in one end portion thereof, a push-rod securedto the bell and extending through the aperture, a contact ,device secured to the push-rod for moving the lever, and a cable connected to the opposite end portion of the lever and also to the gasholder.

10.;ln an acetylene gas plant, the combination of two gas-generators, a gasometer comprising a tank and a bell two conduits connected respectively with the gas-generators and also with the bell, two intercept ring valves connected respectively with the two conduits and having each an operating lever for closing the valves, separate means enabling the bell to move the levers separately to open'the valves, a reversing lever pivotally supported between its ends and provided on opposite ends thereofwith separate means for separately moving the two operating levers respectively to open the valves, and separate means enabling the two gas-generators respectively to separately move the reversing lever.

11. In an acetylene gas plant, the combination of two gas-generators, a gasometer, two conduits connected respectively with the two gas-generators and also with the gasoineter, valve means for closing the two conduits, separate operating and controlling means operatively connected together and with the two gas-generators respectively for enabling either one of the gas-generators when exhausted to actuate the operating and controlling means for putting the remaining one of the gas-generators into operation and opening the valve means between it and the gasometer.

In testimony whereof, I ailix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ORION K. STUART.

\Vitnesses P. A. HAVELICK, E. T. SILVIUS.

Gopies'of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, 13.6. 

